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NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Saint John's University running backs Jakob Reding (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Nick Schneider (Rockville, Minn./Rocori) combined for 261 all-purpose yards, and senior Joe Boyle (Richfield, Minn.) threw for 329 yards as the visiting Johnnies defeated St. Olaf 42-17 on Saturday, Nov. 6.
The Johnnies (6-3, 5-2 MIAC) totaled 510 yards of offense, their sixth 500-yard game of the season (all six wins), and scored touchdowns in all five trips to the red zone.
The win clinches SJU's 24th consecutive winning season (4-4-1 record in 1986). The victory is also the 477th for SJU head coach John Gagliardi in 62 seasons overall (477-129-11), and the 453rd in 58 seasons with the Johnnies (453-123-10). Last Saturday's 31-13 victory at Carleton guaranteed the Johnnies their 43rd consecutive season without a losing record.
SJU took the opening kickoff and marched 62 yards on 11 plays, ending on a one-yard touchdown run by Reding. The Johnnies were forced to punt on their next possession, but a roughing-the-punter penalty gave the visitors new life on their own 44. Six plays later, Boyle hit junior Brent Graboski (Woodbury, Minn.) for an eight-yard touchdown pass.
St. Olaf (6-3, 4-3 MIAC) was forced into a three-and-out again, but the Johnnies turned the ball over on downs on the Oles' 32. STO had a first-and-goal from the Johnnies' two-yard line, but SJU dropped running back Leon Clark for a loss on both second and third down. Jason Obarski nailed a 26-yard field goal to cut the Johnnies' lead to 14-3 with 5:57 left in the second quarter.
SJU responded with an eight-play, 74-yard scoring drive that ended on a six-yard touchdown pass from Boyle to Reding. Following an Ole punt, the Johnnies took over on their own 17 with 53 seconds left in the half. Boyle connected with junior Sam Pederson (La Crosse, Wis./Aquinas) for a 23-yard gain on second down, before hitting Schneider for a 54-yard touchdown pass as the clock expired. Sophomore Jimmie Mattson (Eau Claire, Wis./Memorial) made the extra point to make it 28-3 in favor of SJU.
The Oles cut it to 28-10 on a 13-yard touchdown pass from Dan Dobson to Clark with 5:44 left in the third quarter.
Boyle began the fourth quarter with a 23-yard pass to Pederson and then hit sophomore Max Forster (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins) on a 33-yard pass down to the St. Olaf one-yard line. Schneider scored on the next play to make it 35-10.
St. Olaf fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving SJU the ball on the Oles' 40. Schneider scored from 13 yards out seven plays later.
The Oles added a late touchdown, a seven-yard pass from Dobson to Keith Nederhoed, to end the scoring at 42-17.
Boyle ended the day 24 of 35 passing to record his second career 300-yard passing game. He was 18 of 21 for 244 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone. The three incomplete passes included a dropped pass and two that were purposely thrown away. Boyle completed a pass to eight different receivers in the game. Reding led the Johnnies' ground game with 116 yards on 20 carries, including a long of 47 yards, and added 24 yards on five catches. Schneider, meanwhile, gained 33 yards on five carries and caught two passes for a total of 88 yards.
Seniors David Burns (Fargo, N.D./Shanley), senior Kyle Schroeder (Richmond, Minn./Rocori) and sophomore Mike Bonynge (Spicer, Minn./New London-Spicer) led the SJU defense with six tackles each. Schroeder cracked SJU's top 10 list for career tackles for loss (33.5) with two in the contest, both of which were sacks.
Dobson was 16 of 25 passing for an even 200 yards and led the Oles' rushing attack with 62 yards on 13 attempts. Clark was held to six yards on nine carries.
The Johnnies return home to host Hamline in the season finale next Saturday, Nov. 13. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Clemens Stadium in Collegeville.
